‘Nuisance pupils making our lives a misery’

Neighbours are calling for action to deal with the nuisance which they say is caused by Hulme Grammar pupils in Oldham hanging out in alleyways behind their houses. Residents of Windsor Road and Gainsborough Avenue claim they are plagued by scores of pupils who use the passage behind their houses as a popular short-cut.

Neighbours are calling for action to deal with the nuisance which they say is caused by Hulme Grammar pupils in Oldham hanging out in alleyways behind their houses.

Residents of Windsor Road and Gainsborough Avenue claim they are plagued by scores of pupils who use the passage behind their houses as a popular short-cut.

Some say their homes and gardens have been targeted by vandals and litter louts.

School bosses say they are determined to deal with the problem and want Hulme to be a ‘good neighbour’.

In the latest incident mum of five Raheela Kouser, who lives directly opposite the school on Windsor Road, says a fire was started by her garage door, causing damage to her property.

"I’ve lived in the house for eight years and we’ve had problems from day one," said the 31-year-old.

"It’s not just my house that is affected but the entire block.

"This area has just become a hang-out place for the kids because it’s out of view and the blind spot is in front of my garage.

"I’m totally fed up and the fire was the last straw.

"I’ve been calling the school for the past year and teachers have come to visit. The school are saying they are happy to co-operate but as far as I know nothing is being done."

Hulme principal Dr Paul Neeson said: "We have always responded positively to complaints received from local residents; this is particularly the case when they have involved allegations of poor behaviour.

"Our pupils have been instructed not to go into the alleyways adjacent to the school, even though these are public rights of way.

"Senior staff periodically patrol these areas and if pupils have broken school rules they are dealt with appropriately. We believe that we have a good relationship with our neighbours and wish for this to continue to be so."

Oldham Council said that the area in question is subject to an alleygating scheme to be implemented in the near future.